colder weather coming

There's increasing confidence that colder weather will impact both the Sacramento River valley (including Chico) and adjacent foothills and mountains. A widespread freeze event could occur by the middle of next week. More from the National Weather Service: A COLD LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM ORIGINATING FROM WESTERN CANADA MAY IMPACT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NEXT WEEK. CONFIDENCE IS INCREASING IN THE DETAILS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS AND SNOW LEVELS DROPPING DOWN TO AROUND 2500 FEET. EXPECT OVERNIGHT LOWS TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY BEHIND THE SYSTEM WITH THE POTENTIAL OF A WIDESPREAD VALLEY FREEZE. IMPACTS: * FIRST...SLIPPERY MOUNTAIN PASSES...POSSIBLE LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS INTO UPPER FOOTHILLS. * NEXT...COLD TEMPERATURES MAY KILL SENSITIVE VEGETATION, AND HARM PETS/LIVESTOCK. FORECAST CONFIDENCE: * MEDIUM FOR SNOW SHOWERS. * MEDIUM FOR FREEZING OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES. TIMING AND STRENGTH * TUESDAY: INCREASING CHANCE OF SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MOUNTAINS. SNOW LEVELS DROPPING TO 2500 FEET. MULTIPLE INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATION ABOVE 5500 FT WITH LIGHTER ACCUMULATIONS BELOW. * WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS: VALLEY LOWS 22 TO 32. MOUNTAIN LOWS 5 TO 22.

dry for the weekend; cooler for next week

Ugh! I'm still full from yesterday's Thanksgiving meal! Good thing we have nice weather today to go outside and work off some of the calories packed on yesterday! It reached 70 degrees in Chico yesterday under partly sunny skies, and should remain warm through this weekend. High temperatures will generally be in the mid to upper 60s through Sunday. Monday will be the transition day, with highs in the lower 60s and a slight chance of a shower. Tuesday through Thursday highs will plummet to the lower 50s as a strong cold front will push through, dropping cold Arctic air down from interior Canada. Cold is a relative term, and the air will have modified by the time it reaches Northern California. But it will still be colder than normal for this time of year by almost ten degrees. Overnight lows by the middle of next week will drop into the upper 20s to lower 30s. Brrr! Break out the coats, hats, and gloves! Here is Chico's forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Light and variable wind becoming northeast around 6 mph in the evening. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North northwest wind around 6 mph. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Monday A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Monday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Tuesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Wednesday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

nice weather for Thanksgiving

Happy day before Turkey Day! The past few days in Chico weather wise have been nice for this time of year, with partly sunny skies and high temps in the 60s. High pressure has exerted its control over the West Coast, keeping storms out over the Pacific Ocean. We have seen mainly high cloudiness in association with a storm that has been forced by this high pressure to stay parked over the eastern Pacific. That storm may brush the central and southern California coast over the next couple of days, but it will remain high and dry for us here in Northern California. High cloudiness will still filter the sunshine today and tomorrow, with highs at seasonal averages in the lower 60s. Black Friday also looks dry, with morning lows in the upper 30s. So if you are waiting in line at area stores, bring a coat and a hat. Highs Friday through Sunday look to be in the mid 60s. By early next week, a pattern shift may occur, with an increasing (but still slight at this time) chance of rain and highs only in the 50s. We'll see if that pans out. For now, enjoy the lovely, mild weather we are experiencing, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Light north northeast wind. Thanksgiving Day Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind. Friday Sunny, with a high near 65. Light and variable wind. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 65. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Monday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Monday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Tuesday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

dry through Thanksgiving

The Freeze Warning from the National Weather Service I had posted yesterday was not needed, as the low in Chico this morning stayed above freezing. There could be some patchy frost tonight, but temps once again should stay above the freezing mark. Chico saw hazy sunshine today, with highs around 61 degrees. An inversion layer had set up over the Sacramento Valley, trapping some pollutants close to the ground, which resulted in the hazy skies. Look for continued dry and sunny weather through Thanksgiving and beyond, as a strong ridge of high pressure anchors itself over the West Coast. We desperately need the rain and mountain snow, but it's just not going to happen anytime soon. I'm hoping December and January are stormy. Here is the dry forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Tonight Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 34. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Monday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 6 mph in the evening. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Light and variable wind. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Thanksgiving Day Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 66. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 67.

Freeze Warning for early Sunday

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 8 AM PST SUNDAY. * TEMPERATURES: 28 TO 36. COLDEST TEMPERATURES OVER THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND SUB-BURBS AROUND SACRAMENTO. * TIMING: 3 AM TO 8 AM SUNDAY MORNING. DURATION WILL RANGE FROM 1 TO 5 HOURS AT OR BELOW FREEZING. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: DAVIS...LINCOLN...MARYSVILLE...CHICO...REDDING * IMPACTS: SENSITIVE POTTED PLANTS IF LEFT OUTDOORS COULD BE DAMAGED OR KILLED. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS COULD DAMAGE CROPS OR KILL OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION. PETS AND LIVESTOCK SHOULD HAVE PROPER SHELTER TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE COLD.

dry and mild; possible wet Thanksgiving?

The winds in Chico were not as bad as feared the past two days; the highest gusts were in the 20-25 mph range. It was a different story in the Sierra Nevada mountains, where gusts in some locations there were up to 80 mph! Snow totals in the mountains with this last storm ranged from 4-10 inches. Not a lot, but we may have another opportunity for more, as another storm is expected to influence our area by the middle of next week. Until then, dry and mild conditions will continue. The high temperature in Chico yesterday was a mild 74 degrees, thanks to those down sloping northwesterly winds. The winds will ease up today, with highs around 65 degrees. You may want to cover any tender vegetation tonight, as lows are predicted to be right around freezing. The weather looks fine for the annual Christmas Preview in downtown Chico tomorrow, with dry conditions and temperatures at sunset in the mid to upper 50s. Here's the rest of Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 65. North northwest wind around 8 mph. Tonight Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 60. Light west northwest wind. Sunday Night Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 33. Light north northeast wind. Monday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 61. Light and variable wind. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 61. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Wednesday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Wednesday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Thanksgiving Day A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

update on Wind Advisory

A long duration wind event is likely the next couple of days. In addition, strong winds in the higher elevations of both the Coast Range and Sierra Nevada up to 80 mph are likely. A High Wind Warning is in effect for those areas. For Chico, the Wind Advisory is now in effect from this morning until tomorrow evening. Bust out the hairspray! More from the National Weather Service: WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM PST FRIDAY... * WINDS: NORTH 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. * TIMING: INCREASING WINDS THIS MORNING...DECREASING SLIGHTLY TONIGHT...BUT INCREASING AGAIN FRIDAY MORNING. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SACRAMENTO...CHICO...REDDING. * IMPACTS: DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. UNSECURED OBJECTS MAY BLOW AROUND.

Wind Advisory in effect

Chico has received 1.47" of rain from this slow-moving storm system. It has been gray all day, with off-and-on showers. Once this storm passes, strong winds will be gusty from the northwest. More from the National Weather Service: WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM PST THURSDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM PST THURSDAY. * WINDS: NORTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. THE STRONGER WINDS WILL MAINLY IMPACT THE WEST AND NORTH SIDES OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY. * TIMING: STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED DURING THE DAY THURSDAY. BREEZY CONDITIONS POSSIBLE AGAIN FRIDAY. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: REDDING...RED BLUFF...WOODLAND * IMPACTS: DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. UNSECURED OBJECTS MAY BLOW AROUND.

latest from the National Weather Service

Chico has already received 1.15" of rain the past 24 hours ending at 10 pm this evening. Now some areas, especially higher elevations, may have to deal with strong winds later this week. More from the NWS: PRECIPITATION CONTINUES INTO THURSDAY WITH STRONG WINDS TO FOLLOW THURSDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY OVER INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA... * IMPACTS: WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS LIMITED TO SIERRA PASSES... WIDESPREAD RAIN AND FALLEN LEAVES MAY LEAD TO SLICK ROADS AND CLOGGED DRAINS THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT. VERY STRONG AND POSSIBLY DAMAGING WINDS IN THE MOUNTAINS THURSDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. * TIMING: PERIODS OF VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW TONIGHT BECOMING SHOWERY LATE WEDNESDAY. SHOWERS LINGERING INTO THURSDAY OVER THE SIERRA NEVADA. INCREASING WINDS LATER IN THE WEEK. * RAINFALL AMOUNTS: ONE-HALF INCH TO ONE AND ONE-QUARTER INCH IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY...OVER TWO INCHES OF RAIN IN THE FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS. * SNOWFALL AMOUNTS THROUGH THURSDAY: SEVERAL INCHES OF WET SNOW POSSIBLE OVER THE SIERRA PASSES. CLOSE TO A FOOT OR SO OF SNOW OVER HIGHER REMOTE ELEVATIONS ABOVE 7000 FEET. * WINDS: GUSTS 50 TO 80 MPH POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS AT TIMES THURSDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. GUSTS TO 40 MPH POSSIBLE WEST SIDE OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND EASTERN SOLANO COUNTY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. * SYNOPSIS: SLOW MOVING PACIFIC FRONT CONTINUES RAIN AND SNOW OVER INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT... LINGERING SHOWERS THURSDAY. STRONG WINDS DEVELOP BEHIND THE FRONT LATE THURSDAY INTO SATURDAY.

much needed rain on the way

It was a fantastic weekend weather-wise in Chico, with partly to mostly sunny skies, fairly light winds, and highs in the mid 60s. Enjoy one more day similar to this weekend tomorrow before rain enters the picture tomorrow night. Highs tomorrow under partly sunny skies will be in the mid 60s, but the next storm that's moving in from the Pacific will be bringing much needed rain into our area by late tomorrow night. The rain lingers into Tuesday and Tuesday night before tapering off to showers by Wednesday. Winds should not be a major issue with this storm, as the energy for that will move to our north with the jet stream. However, we should get some decent rain amounts, with three-quarters of an inch for parts of the valley and well over an inch for the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains. This is a warm storm with subtropical moisture, so don't expect much snow- generally a few inches above pass level. Make sure to clear any fallen leaves from gutters and storm drains, as they could block the flow of water and cause minor flooding issues. The sun should return by Thursday and remain through the end of next weekend. Chilly high temps in the mid and upper 50s on Tuesday and Wednesday will give way to mid and upper 60s for Thursday through Sunday. Yay rain! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind. Monday A 30 percent chance of rain after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Monday Night Rain likely, mainly after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tuesday Rain. High near 54. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tuesday Night Rain. Low around 49. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Wednesday Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Wednesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Friday Sunny, with a high near 67. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 69. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 68.

perhaps some rain next week?

Fingers crossed. From the National Weather Service in Sacramento: WIDESPREAD WET STORM BY EARLY NEXT WEEK... * IMPACTS: WARMER STORM WITH WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS LIMITED TO SIERRA PASSES. WIDESPREAD RAIN AND FALLEN LEAVES MAY LEAD TO SLICK ROADS AND CLOGGED DRAINS. * PRECIPITATION: RAIN OVER COASTAL RANGE AND SHASTA COUNTY MONDAY NIGHT SPREADING SOUTHEASTWARD TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY WITH SNOW LIMITED TO NEAR SIERRA PASSES. * SNOW LEVELS: WARM SYSTEM WITH SNOW LEVELS 6500 FEET NORTHWARD OF PLUMAS AND TEHAMA COUNTIES AND 7500 TO 8000 FEET SOUTHWARD OF SIERRA COUNTY BY TUESDAY. * ACCUMULATIONS: UP TO 0.50 INCHES OF RAIN IN THE VALLEY AND UP TO 1.5 INCHES OVER MOUNTAINS. ONLY UP TO A COUPLE OF INCHES OF SNOW OVER SIERRA PASSES WITH MORE OVER HIGHEST PEAKS. * WINDS: NORTHERLY WIND GUSTS 20 TO 30 MPH IN THE NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND SIERRA TODAY AND SATURDAY...SOUTHWESTERLY GUSTS 30 TO 40 MPH OVER THE HIGHER SIERRA WITH THE NEXT SIGNIFICANT STORM SYSTEM ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY . * SYNOPSIS: A WARMER STORM WITH A SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE TAP WILL BRING WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE AREA EARLY NEXT WEEK WITH SNOWFALL LIMITED TO NEAR AND ABOVE PASS LEVELS. THESE SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO DELIVER SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION IN THE PAST, HOWEVER CONFIDENCE IS FAIRLY LOW AS THE SYSTEM MAY BE QUICKER AND SHUNTED SOUTHWARD.

drought persists in the West

Here is the latest drought information for the United States from the National Weather Service. It is telling how deep the drought is in the western part of the country.

chilly weekend

Wow! The high temperature in Chico yesterday was 82 degrees, tying a record set 107 years ago, back in 1906. What's also interesting (well, to a weather geek like me), the temperature diurnal, or the difference between the morning low and the afternoon high temperature, was a whopping 41 degrees! The morning low in Chico yesterday was 41 degrees; eight hours later, it was 82. This was courtesy of dry air (the temperature diurnal is often greater when the air is dry) and northwest, down sloping winds that cause the air to warm rapidly. By Saturday, highs will be over 20 degrees colder than yesterday's high. A cold front sweeping down from the Gulf of Alaska will drag colder air from up north beginning tomorrow and lasting through early next week. Unfortunately, this cold front is too weak and the air too dry to give us any precipitation, so the drought continues. Overnight lows in the valley early Sunday and Monday mornings may dip into the mid 30s, prompting the first frost advisories of the season so far. We'll see if that happens. By the middle of next week, high temps will be back above normal. I just wish we'd get some rain! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind 9 to 11 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 64. North northwest wind around 10 mph. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North northeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 62. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Monday Sunny, with a high near 67. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Tuesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Continued dry

I hope everyone had a nice Veterans' Day. Thank you to all who have served our country. The weather was nice yesterday, with some milky white high clouds filtering some of the sunshine over Chico, and a high of 74 degrees. We should be at 67 degrees for our high for November 11th. Other than a slight chance (20%) of showers this morning, expect dry and mainly sunny skies through early next week. This high pressure ridge over us is strong, keeping the jet stream far to our north and steering storms into the Pacific Northwest. High temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s through Thursday, then cool down slightly into the upper 60s for this weekend. A weak cold front will push through our area at the end of this week, bringing in cooler marine air but no rain. Here is the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. West northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 6 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 8 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 73. North northwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

slight chance of rain Tuesday; otherwise, high and dry

It has been an absolutely beautiful weekend here in Chico, with a high of 76 on Saturday, and a high of 74 today. Sunny skies dominated, albeit with some slightly stagnant air hanging over Chico due to light winds and a lack of rain. We need rain desperately, but it's not going to happen. There is a slight chance of showers (20%) tomorrow night into Tuesday morning; otherwise, forget about any decent rain for awhile. This could be one of the driest Novembers in Chico weather history, as we have had no measurable rain so far this month. The rainy season of 2005-2006 was similar to this, in which it began with almost no rain during November and much of December, and then one big storm after another pummeled Northern California right before and after Christmas. Perhaps that will happen this rainy season? Only time will tell. Until then, enjoy the sunny and dry autumn weather. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. East northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Veterans Day Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers before 11am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable in the morning. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 6 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 73. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

that chance for rain? Maybe not.

You can stop looking forward to that rain chance for next week. It looks like it has dwindled to a "slight chance" for next Monday night and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. We may not see ANY rain for the month of November, as a large, sprawling, powerful ridge of high pressure dominates our weather over the next seven to ten days. This is not good, as we are already in a serious drought situation here in the Western U.S. Who knows when we'll see rain again! Look for mainly sunny skies and mild temperatures for the next week, with just a slight chance of a shower Monday night, Tuesday, and Tuesday night. Highs will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s, while overnight lows will be in the mid 40s. The good news is that the fall colors in Chico are really nice right now, and this mild weather will prolong those colors. Here's Chico's specific seven day forecast from the NWS: Today Sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Light northeast wind. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 47. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the morning. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Veterans Day Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Monday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Tuesday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Tuesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

finally... some rain in the forecast

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful fall day in Chico, with sunny skies, light winds, and mild temperatures. The high temp at the Chico State University Farm on the south side of town was 76 degrees, while across town on the north side the high at the Chico Airport was 73 degrees. Our average high for this time of year is 69. Expect to see similar weather today, as the fall foliage reaches its peak in Chico. Some of the fall colors have really become more intense the past few days, and I need to capture those colors in photos before they fade. Anyway, computer models are becoming more in agreement that a deep trough of low pressure will invade from the Gulf of Alaska beginning late this weekend, bringing us much cooler temperatures and wet weather. Right now the National Weather Service is playing it safe, not stating any rain percentages. The NWS is only saying there is a "chance of rain" for Monday and Tuesday of next week. As we get closer to that timeframe, the forecast should become more certain of how much rain we will get. Keep checking back for updates. For now, here is what the NWS is saying for Chico the next seven days: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. East wind 3 to 5 mph. Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Light east wind becoming south southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Sunday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Sunday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Veterans Day A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Monday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Tuesday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

where's the rain?

Northern California is well into its rainy season right now, but we haven't seen any actual rain for awhile. Where is it? Off to our north, as the Pacific Northwest is bearing the brunt of the wet and stormy weather. Oh, there's a slight chance of rain in this week's forecast, but nothing major. So our drought continues. Those gusty northwest winds we experienced yesterday only exacerbated the extremely dry conditions. Wind gusts in Chico reached 37 mph, with a high of 65 degrees. The winds won't be as fierce today, gusting up to 20 mph, again, from the northwest. Look for high temps in the mid 60s again today, with highs around 70 for tomorrow through Thursday. Another weak and dry front moves through Thursday, dropping temperatures a few degrees Friday and Saturday, but it will remain mainly dry. Our next chance of rain hopefully will happen Sunday, with highs struggling to reach 60 degrees. Overnight lows will remain in the 40s through this coming weekend. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Light and variable wind. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Thursday A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Saturday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Sunday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Wind Advisory for overnight tonight into Sunday

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 4 PM PST SUNDAY. * WINDS: NORTH 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. * TIMING: LATE TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY AFTERNOON. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SACRAMENTO...CHICO...RED BLUFF...FAIRFIELD. STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND IN THE DELTA. * IMPACTS: DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR HIGH PROFILE AND LIGHT WEIGHT VEHICLES. UNSECURED OBJECTS MAY BLOW AROUND. DOWNED BRANCHES AND LIMBS ARE POSSIBLE.

cool and breezy

After a warm day yesterday, in which the high temperature in Chico reached 77 degrees (normal for November 1st is 71 degrees), expect cooler weather over the next several days. This is due to a series of cool fronts moving through our area. These fronts won't give us any rain, unfortunately, but will bring both cooler Pacific air as well as breezy northerly winds. The peak time for these winds will be tonight and tomorrow. Highs today will be right around average, and then will be below average through next week. Overnight lows will be chilly, dipping into the upper 30s by early Monday morning. Hopefully we will see some rain towards the end of next week. This may change, so keep checking back for updates. Some events happening in Chico today and tomorrow include theater productions such as "The Weir," being staged by the Rogue Theater at the Southside Playhouse tonight at 7:30, as well as Young Frankenstein at Chico Theater Company at 7:30 tonight and 2pm tomorrow; The Grand Guignol: Theatre of Terror at the Blue Room Theatre, at 7:30 tonight; the University Chorus presents "From Where the Sun Now Stands," featuring the aforementioned University Chorus, A Capella Choir, and Chamber Singers, happening at Harlen Adams Theatre on the Chico State campus at 7:30 tonight; TedX Talks at the Sierra Nevada Brewery all day today beginning at 11am; the 39th annual Almond Bowl, a 5k marathon and half marathon happening at One Mile in Bidwell Park tomorrow at 8am; and two Dia de Los Muertos events: Dia de Los Muertos: Befriending Death at the Chico Women's Club from 1-6pm tomorrow, and First We Die Then We Dance from 6-8:30pm, also at Chico Women's Club. Lots of stuff happening in our active little town! Soak up the wonderful fall weather, and enjoy all that Chico offers! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. North northwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North northwest wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Monday Sunny, with a high near 64. North northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Thursday A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Thursday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Friday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.